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A new study suggests that a single treatment with the Er ablative laser can provide long-term remission for patients with Hailey-Hailey disease (HHD), a rare genetic skin disorder that causes painful blistering and plaques, particularly in skin folds. Published in the Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology and conducted by Debeuf and colleagues, this study highlights the effectiveness of Er laser therapy in achieving remission and enhancing quality of life for HHD patients, many of whom have struggled to find relief through conventional treatments.
High Remission Rates from a Single Treatment Session
Current treatments for HHD, such as topical steroids and other medications, often provide only partial or temporary relief. To explore a more effective option, researchers treated a total of 77 erosive plaques across eight HHD patients using a single Er laser session and monitored outcomes over a median follow-up of 38 months. Results indicated that 97.4% of the treated plaques (75 out of 77) showed complete remission by the end of this period, supporting the laser’s potential for providing long-term resolution after just one treatment.
The study also evaluated patient well-being using quality-of-life assessments, specifically the Skindex-29 and Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) scales. Both scores showed marked improvement, with patients reporting fewer symptoms and greater ease in performing daily activities.
Structural Improvement Highlights Lasting Benefits
A notable aspect of this study was its analysis of skin structure changes pre- and post-treatment. Biopsies taken after treatment revealed significant normalization in the treated skin, including an increase in desmosomes (structures essential for cell adhesion), reduced intercellular spacing, and restored keratin filament organization. Treated skin samples showed structural characteristics closer to healthy skin and fewer abnormalities compared to untreated HHD-affected skin.
These findings indicate that ablative laser therapy not only addresses visible symptoms but may also restore underlying skin structure, contributing to the stability and durability of the remission.
Implications for Future Management of Hailey-Hailey Disease
This research emphasizes the potential of Er ablative laser therapy as a promising option in the management of Hailey-Hailey disease. For patients and clinicians, this treatment could represent a breakthrough in addressing a condition that is typically challenging to manage. By providing substantial remission and improved quality of life, this approach may offer reliable, long-term symptom control and even some restoration of normal skin structure.
The study’s findings support a broader role for ablative laser therapy in dermatology, particularly for chronic conditions like HHD that have few effective treatments. As a result, this therapy may pave the way for new approaches in managing complex skin disorders.